Sylvester Stallone’s Inspirational Journey: The Rocky Steps, Humble Beginnings, and Life Lessons from The Tonight Show

With a career spanning decades and a legacy etched in Hollywood history, Sylvester Stallone’s narrative embodies resilience and reinvention. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the iconic actor, writer, and director shared intimate insights into his rags-to-riches journey, focusing on a pivotal, failed attempt to conquer the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps—a moment that became the cornerstone of his most iconic role and a metaphor for life’s challenges.

Humble Beginnings and the Weight of Early Struggles

Stallone’s path to stardom was fraught with adversity: he lived homeless, cleaned lion cages in a zoo, worked as a deli counter staff (receiving just 3.5 ounces of pastrami daily), and served as an usher for a year. These experiences, he reflected, instilled a tenacity that would define his career. “I had zero going for me,” he told Fallon. “It’s like, I worked in a lion’s cage, a deli, I was an usher for a year.”

The Failed First Climb: Carrying Butkus and the Rocky Steps

Stallone’s breakthrough came with Rocky (1976), a low-budget boxing film born from his own struggles. On The Tonight Show, he revisited the scene that nearly never happened: the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “We didn’t have money to shoot there, no license—we just got out of the car,” he recalled. His goal? Capture footage of running up the steps quickly, before authorities noticed.

But his first attempt ended in humiliation: he attempted to carry his 130-pound Bullmastiff, Butkus, up the “lofty steps.” “My dog is a buffalo,” Stallone laughed. “I got halfway up, my knees buckled, and I had to say, ‘Dog… out.’” With Butkus left in the car, he finished the scene alone. Though initially embarrassing, this failed climb would become the film’s most enduring sequence.

Legacy of Rocky and the Birth of a Cultural Icon

Rocky defied odds, earning Stallone a Best Actor Oscar nomination and winning Best Picture in 1977. The steps, once overlooked, became a global symbol of perseverance. Today, a statue of “The Italian Stallion” stands at the base, cementing the scene’s place in pop culture. Six Rocky sequels and three Creed spin-offs followed, solidifying the franchise as a testament to underdog triumph.

The Memoir The Steps: A Metaphor for Life’s Journeys

Stallone’s upcoming memoir, The Steps — A Memoir (set for release in May 2026), draws inspiration from that pivotal climb. “It’s a great name for a biography about the steps you make in your life to arrive,” he explained. The book, he added, explores how “the steps” in life—both literal and metaphorical—shape resilience.

A Call to Persevere: “Am I Gonna Win, or Is Life Gonna Win?”

Stallone’s message to audiences was clear: “It’s a battle. It’s a punchout, and it’s not easy.” He challenged viewers to ask, “Am I gonna win, or is life gonna win?” For him, the answer was simple: “It’s the fight you put up that gets you where you wanna go.”

Future Projects: Continuing the Fight in Tulsa King

Stallone remains as relentless as ever, set to return to screens in the third season of Tulsa King, premiering on Paramount+ on September 21, 2025. The role, a crime drama with complex themes of loyalty and survival, mirrors his own ethos of overcoming adversity.

Conclusion: Lessons From the Steps

Stallone’s story—rooted in failure, resilience, and transformation—remains a beacon of hope. From the failed climb with Butkus to the millions who now ascend the Philadelphia steps as a symbol of grit, his journey reminds us: success is not just about reaching the top, but about summoning the courage to take the first step—even when it feels impossible.

The Steps — A Memoir (out May 2026) and Tulsa King season 3 (premiering September 21, 2025, on Paramount+) promise to extend this legacy, proving that the greatest triumphs come from the hardest battles.